Flying-foxes in the local area

Flying-foxes are nomadic mammals that fly across eastern and northern Australia.

The two species seen in the Tamworth Region in fluctuating numbers are the grey-headed flying-fox and the little-red flying-fox.

The little-red are the most widespread species in Australia.

Researchers speculate that flying-fox movements could be related to food scarcity, nectar flows or seasonal variations, and are uncertain whether such movements will be repeated.

Flying-foxes are increasingly moving into urban areas in search of food and shelter, as a result of the loss of their natural habitat. This can sometimes be problematic for residents, because of concerns about flying-fox camp health and amenity impacts.

Because the grey-headed flying-fox is listed as a threatened species in NSW, approval is required to disturb or relocate flying-foxes.

Flying-fox Camp Management Plan

Tamworth Regional Council started on-ground works to reduce the impact of flying-foxes on the local community on Tuesday 13 June, 2017 after it was given the go ahead by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH).

On May 30, 2017 Council received a Section 95 Certificate under the Threatened Species Act 1995 allowing the first stage of actions set out in its Flying-fox Camp Management Plan to start, subject to 34 conditions.

The conditions include notifying nearby residents of the start to work with at least one week's notice, having a qualified ecologist on site while any work is being done, notifying an accredited wildlife carer to ensure they are available to care for any flying-foxes which may be impacted as a result of the work.

The Plan outlines how Council will manage flying-foxes in the main roosting areas at the Peel River Camp adjacent to King George V Avenue and at the junction of the Peel River and Goonoo Goonoo Creek opposite Bicentennial Park (known as the Park Camp).

The first actions are to create a 50-metre buffer zone around the two homes immediately adjacent to the camp and a 15-metre buffer zone from potential conflict areas in the Paradise Tourist Park by removing exotic vegetation and trimming native trees. The work will involve the use of chainsaws and other equipment and may have the effect of unsettling the flying-foxes. There are OEH conditions to follow for the use of the equipment including that woodchipping operations should not take place in the immediate vicinity of the Camp.

Council received $50,000 under the Local Government NSW Flying-foxes Grants Program in October 2016 to cover the cost of works to minimise the impact of the threatened species on residents. Council decided early in May 2017 to also make an in-kind contribution of up to $54,500 of Council labour and services towards the first stage of actions set out in the Plan.

In 2015, Council used a $10,000 grant from the Office and Environment and Heritage to support the creation of Plan. While the Plan focuses on the Peel River Camp, it will also form the basis of management techniques for other areas in the region that may be affected such as Barraba and Manilla.

The actions of the Flying-Fox Camp Management Plan are aimed to reduce the roosting habitat in the Peel River Camp to lessen the impacts on adjacent residents while also improving the habitat of the Park Camp on the western side of the Peel River. During the 2015 flying-fox influx, the two Tamworth colonies were highly disturbed and the animals were often moving between the camps and by encouraging the flying-foxes into the Park Camp (on the opposite river bank to Bicentennial Park) they will be protected by the water on both sides of the camps and should be more settled.

Influx of flying-foxes in 2017

As of 7 July, 2017 more than 140,000 flying-foxes are living in Tamworth - up from 100,000 on 30 May, 2017. They are living in the Peel River Camp on the banks of the Peel River as well as a smaller camp at the junction of Goonoo Goonoo Creek and Peel River opposite Bicentennial Park (known as the Park Camp). Previously the highest number of flying-foxes in Tamworth was in 2015 with a peak of about 80,000.

A week earlier there were 50,000 flying-foxes.

In 2015, the large number of flying-foxes living in the King George V Avenue camp spread downstream in the direction of Tamworth’s CBD.

Several thousand flying-foxes occupied trees along both banks in the Bicentennial Park area. Traditionally, the area on the western bank of the Peel River opposite Bicentennial Park was a flying-fox habitat before the King George V Avenue camp was formed.

Barraba's largest flying-fox population was in June 2015 when up to 3000 Little Red Flying Foxes are estimated to have made their home in a 300 metre stretch of the Manilla River adjacent to Cherry Street. As of June 1, 2017 there were not active camps in either Barraba or Manilla.

Council is keen to hear from residents who they notice new flying-fox activity. Please email trc@tamworth.nsw.gov.au

Behaviour and breeding

All species of flying fox are nomadic and move about the landscape to feed on native blossoms and fruits. Flying foxes are known to be beneficial to the growth of vegetation, as they spread seeds and pollinate native plants.

The two species seen in the Tamworth Region in fluctuating numbers are the grey-headed flying-fox and the little-red flying-fox. The little-red are the most widespread species in Australia.

Grey-headed flying foxes have a very low breeding rate, with mothers giving birth to only one pup per year. This means those flying-fox populations can only increase slowly.

Mating begins January–March and pregnant females congregate in maternity camps a couple of weeks before giving birth in September-October. Females carry young while they forage for the first three weeks of life.

After the first three weeks, the young are left at the camp while females forage at dusk. The females find their young by scent when they return to camp.

Why are they listed as an endangered species?

Research has shown that habitat loss has meant grey-headed flying-foxes are more affected by extreme weather and years of native food scarcity.

The grey-headed flying fox is listed as vulnerable to extinction under NSW and Australian legislation because of declining numbers and key threats such as habitat loss. Records indicate that grey-headed flying-foxes may once have numbered in the millions, but are now reduced to as few as 400,000. In the decade before listing, populations have declined by over half due to the clearing of 50-80 per cent of their food sources (eucalypts primarily).

Flying foxes are nomadic mammals that fly across eastern and northern Australia. Researchers speculate that flying-foxes have long moved across the landscape in search of flowering or fruiting trees and shrubs. Today, flying foxes travel as far north as Rockhampton and as far south as Melbourne.

Camp lifestyle

Flying foxes form camps near to the food resources they are using. They occupy these camps during the day before flying out at dusk to feed at night. The flying foxes return to their camps at dawn.

Camps form suddenly, and often empty just as quickly. They can host no animals one week and suddenly be home to thousands of animals the next. The size of the day time population will change throughout the year, depending on food sources.

Flying fox camps can also be sites for mating, giving birth, feeding young and overnight refuge for flightless young.

There is no evidence of increasing numbers of flying foxes, yet more camps are forming and their distribution is changing. Researchers speculate that this is a response to changing environmental conditions and associated changes to their food supply. Flying foxes may be forming smaller, more widely distributed camps so they can use less energy to reach food resources or they may be using new areas with less nutritious but more available food resources.

Flying fox experts cannot predict where a new flying-fox camp will form. However, some physical characteristics of camps are highly consistent. Trees tend to be eight metres or taller with their leaves forming a closed, forested ‘roof’. Camps are at least one hectare in size, they are on level ground and they are near water.

Flying fox camps are not made up from cohesive groups of animals and there is no evidence of long-term group structure at a site. Different animals move between and use different sites. Some flying foxes may use a camp as a resting site as they move to another area and some animals may stay for longer periods.

Health advice

Flying Foxes in Australia are known to potentially carry two infections which can pose a risk to human health – Australian Bat Lyssavirus and Hendra virus.

However, experts from NSW Health advise that humans cannot contract either Hendra or Lyssavirus from breathing in the air or from coming into contact with bat faeces. The level of health risk is the same as a large flock of birds nesting in the area, it says.

But, community members are warned not to touch flying, injured or dead bats because in rare circumstances being scratched or bitten can compromise human health.

Residents should advise Council of dead flying foxes on (02) 6767 5555.

Reports of injured flying foxes should be made to the local WIRES office on 1300 131 554 to ensure their safe removal and care.

More information

Tamworth Region residents with any concerns about flying foxes should call the Office of Environment and Heritage on 131 555.